1. Get Online
Printable coupons are very popular right now, so you should have no trouble finding plenty for the products you love most. Basically, you can go to a savings site such as MySavings.com browse for coupons under the “coupons tab” and find a plethora of printable coupons. You’ll find links where you can print your coupons, and then it’s just as simple as bringing them to the store to begin saving.
Earning cash back on online purchases is another way to save cash. Ebates is a program that allows you to get a percentage of your purchases back in cash when shopping online at participating stores (think Amazon, Cafe Press, Kohl’s, and many, many more). Watch the dollars add up and then receive a check in the mail.
It has never been more convenient to use online tools to coupon!
2. Get On Your Phone
Online coupons go beyond your computer now. Because you always have your phone with you, coupon apps are a great way to save money at the grocery store and other retailers. Applications like the Coupons.com app and Ibotta are great for shoppers who haven’t clipped coupons ahead of time—you just go to the store and see what’s discounted for that store on the Ibotta app. Ibotta can even be used for online shopping. If you’re shopping on the fly, the Coupons.com app allows you to take a picture of you receipt to verify purchases to which you can then apply coupons. Check out Groupon coupons, they are plentiful and a great way to save, both online and locally.
3. Get Organized
Create a place to both store your coupons and keep them in order. Nothing can be more discouraging than taking the time to clip or print coupons, only to have piles of paper that make it impossible for you to find the one coupon you want to use. Organization is key: keep coupons ordered either by expiration date, product, brand, category or retailer.
When printing coupons, make sure to take advantage of any coupons that will help pay for the process. Deals on paper, printer cartridges and more will only increase your savings scheme.
A part of good coupon organization is to actually having a plan to use them. Your coupons are as good as cash! Don’t go to the store hoping some of your coupons will be usable—make sure you have an idea of what’s on sale before you go to the store so you don’t spend unwarranted amounts of time trying to figure out what’s applicable and what’s not.
An important note on coupons: Keep them handy! If you keep them in your purse or wallet, they’ll be available when you need them, rather than left at home on the kitchen counter or by the front door.
4. Be Picky
Don’t cut out and save just any old coupon! The way to save both time and money is to know what your family’s needs are and hone in on the coupons that apply to those products.
It is highly likely that your favorite brands have their own websites featuring their latest coupons and savings deals. For instance, if you love Betty Crocker products, just head over to their website, join their newsletter so you always get their most up-to-date coupons, and then browse their current coupons. You can join newsletters with brands such as Campbell’s, P&G, Johnson&Johsnon, and many more to find the best savings on your favorite foods and products.
Finally, make a list of 5 of your favorite couponing and freebie blogs, like MySavings.com, and check them regularly! Once you’ve discovered which blogs get the best scoop on coupons, you’ll be able to go directly to them to clip, print and shop.
5. Join Membership or Loyalty Programs at Your Favorite Stores
Companies are fighting for your business and most have membership and loyalty programs with accompanying cards you can use to receive coupons, deals and sales notifications in newsletters, print ads sent directly to your home, and in applications you can download to your phone. If you love crafting, make sure to sign up at Michael’s or Joanne to get the best savings all year round. If you frequently shop at Target, sign up for their REDcard to compound the savings both in-store or online.
Grocery stores have also caught on and you can sign up for membership and browse currently coupons, buy-one-get-one (BOGO) free deals, and sales. Many of the phone applications mentioned above work directly with major grocery stores to make using coupons super easy.
We were all beginner couponers once, but use these strategies to increase your monthly savings. Combining all of the above strategies will make your dollars go farther, save you time and make the couponing process more efficient!